THE FINALISTS of the coveted 2022 Cumbria Tourism Awards have been unveiled as the Oscars of the tourism sector make a long awaited comeback after a three year absence.
Regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the county’s tourism industry makes a long-awaited comeback after a three-year absence
The awards span 16 categories covering every conceivable type of tourism business and celebrate the very best of Cumbria’s vibrant visitor economy. More than 100 entries were whittled down to the shortlist being revealed today, against a backdrop of one of the most challenging periods in the industry’s history.
Finalists now face another round of judging, including a series of mystery shopping visits, before the ultimate winners are selected ahead of a VIP awards ceremony at Kendal’s Castle Green Hotel later this summer.
Held in association with United Utilities, the big event on Wednesday 6 July will be hosted by Dave Guest, who spent almost 40 years with the BBC and became one of the most recognisable faces on regional TV.
Dave documented some of the North West’s most memorable moments and won a number of prestigious broadcasting awards including the Royal Television Society’s award for Best Reporter on a Regional Programme.
The Cumbria Tourism Awards 2022 finalists are:
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
Sponsored by The Cumberland
- Anyone Can, Newby Bridge
- Calvert Lakes, Keswick
Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award
Sponsored by Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire
- Long Valley Yurts, Windermere
- Muncaster Castle, Gardens and Hawk & Owl Centre
- Shed 1 Gin, Ulverston
Large Hotel of the Year
Sponsored by Christie & Co
- Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa, Bassenthwaite Lake, Keswick
- Linthwaite House, Windermere
- Skiddaw Hotel, Keswick
Small Hotel of the Year
Sponsored by Colliers
- Askham Hall
- Farlam Hall Hotel & Restaurant, Brampton
- The Yan at Broadrayne, Grasmere
B&B and Guest House of the Year
Sponsored by Lamont Pridmore
- Cedar Manor, Windermere
- Lockholme Bed and Breakfast, Kirkby Stephen
- The Sally, Irthington
Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year
Sponsored by Out of Eden
- Dufton Barn Holidays
- Elmira & Maid of Kent - Ravenglass Railway Camping Coaches
- Lakes Hostel, Windermere
- Waterbird Boathouse at Hill of Oaks Park, Windermere
Camping, Glamping & Holiday Park of the Year
Sponsored by David Allen
- Pennine View Park, Kirkby Stephen
- Park Foot Holiday Park, Ullswater
- The Quiet Site, Ullswater
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
- Muncaster Castle, Gardens and Hawk & Owl Centre
- Wordsworth Grasmere
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
Sponsored by H&H Reeds
- Treetop Lake District, Brockhole, Windermere
- Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery, Carlisle
- Walby Farm Park, Crosby-on-Eden
Experience of the Year
Sponsored by Burnetts
- Graythwaite Adventure
- Honister Slate Mine
- Shed 1 Gin, Ulverston
- Mountain Goat Tours, Windermere
Pub of the Year
- The Black Swan, Ravenstonedale
- George and Dragon, Clifton
- Three Shires Inn, Little Langdale
- The Wheatsheaf, Beetham
Taste of Cumbria Award
Sponsored by Eden District Council
- Allium at Askham Hall
- The Cottage in the Wood, Braithwaite
- The Music Room at Augill Castle, Kirkby Stephen
- The Yan at Broadrayne, Grasmere
Makers and Producers Award
Sponsored by ECO-I North West
- Aqua Pura, Armathwaite
- Lakes Ice Cream, Kendal
- Pure Lakes Skincare, Staveley
- Shed 1 Gin, Ulverston
Wedding Venue of the Year
Sponsored by Dodd & Co
- Askham Hall & Bank Barn
- Briery Wood Country House Hotel, Windermere
- The Coppermines Lakes Cottages, Coniston
New Tourism Business Award
Sponsored by Thomson Hayton Winkley
- Bassenthwaite Lake Station
- Dandelion & Hoglet Holiday Cottages, Dalston
- The Green Cumbria, Kirkby Stephen
- Lakes Laser Tag, Ulverston
The Sheila Hensman Unsung Hero Award
- Michael Wilson, The Guide over Sands Trust
- Roland Thompson, Honister Slate Mine
- Joseph Cobb, Lake District Country Hotels, Windermere
To round off the night there will also be a special surprise presentation for the ‘Bernard Gooch Tourism Personality of the Year’. This is the highest award collectively given by the industry for an individual’s lifelong services to tourism.
Many of this year’s winners will also go on to represent the county nationally at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2023.
Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism, Gill Haigh, says, “The Cumbria Tourism Awards is all about celebrating our industry and the hardworking businesses who have continued to forge ahead in some of the most challenging circumstances anyone could have ever imagined.
“I’ve been bowled over by the innovation, adaptability and sheer resilience of our incredibly diverse tourism sector spanning the length and breadth of Cumbria.
"These businesses put high quality customer experiences at the heart of everything they do and it will be a privilege to bring the finalists together this July to mark their achievements."
"There’s no doubt the judges now have a very tough task on their hands to choose the ultimate winners.”
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